Setting device, image forming apparatus including the setting device and clear-coat setting method

ABSTRACT

A setting device sets a print page to be clear-coated. When print data is obtained, the setting device displays a preview of a print page image represented by the print data (step S 1040 ). The setting device further receives a designation for a print page image of which preview is displayed, and sets a print page corresponding to the print page image of which designation has been received as a print page to be clear-coated (step S 1050 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)on Patent Application No. 2013-114182 filed in Japan on May 30, 2013,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a setting device for setting a printpage to be clear-coated, an image forming apparatus provided with thesetting device, and a clear-coat setting method for setting the printpage to be clear-coated.

2. Description of the Background Art

Recently, demand for higher image quality is increasing for full-colorimage forming apparatuses based on electrophotography. With such ademand, an image forming apparatus providing clear-coating has beenproposed, which forms a high-quality image on a sheet of recording paperand, thereafter, further forms a toner image that becomes transparentafter fixing on the sheet, for the purpose of realizing glossy finish.

By way of example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-322819(hereinafter referred to as '819 Reference) discloses an image formingsystem including a color image forming apparatus forming a plurality ofcolor toner images, a clear-coat image forming apparatus forming aclear-coated image using a clear toner (clear coating material) thatbecomes transparent after fixing, connected as a subsequent stage to thecolor image forming apparatus, and a book binding machine connectedthereto as a further subsequent stage. The color image forming apparatusand the clear-coat image forming apparatus together form a clear-coatedimage at a sheet folding position, when a folding mode of the bookbinding machine is designated.

Generally, a user wants to clear-coat various pages such as pages withphotographs or pictures, not only the front cover and the foldingposition of the innermost page. In the image forming system of '819Reference, though it is possible to form a clear-coated image at thefolding position of a sheet, if the user wishes to have any page he/shelikes clear-coated, it is necessary for the user to grasp beforehandwhich pages are to be clear-coated and to set clear-coating page bypage. Therefore, setting of pages to be clear-coated is verytroublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a setting device allowing easysetting of pages to be clear-coated, an image forming apparatusincluding the setting device and a method of setting clear-coating.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a settingdevice setting a print page to be clear-coated. The setting deviceincludes: a display section displaying a preview of a print page imagerepresented by print data; a receiving section receiving a designationfor a print page image displayed on the display section; and a settingsection setting a print page corresponding to the print page image ofwhich designation has been received by the receiving section, as a printpage to be clear-coated.

The setting device displays a preview of a print page image representedby print data. The setting device further receives a designation to theprint page images displayed as previews, and sets the print page orpages corresponding to the designated print page image or images as theprint page or pages to be clear-coated. The pages to be clear-coated areoften limited, for example, to front cover, back cover, and pages havingphotographs or pictures thereon. By the present setting device, it ispossible for the user to set a page to be clear-coated while checkingprint data images using preview displays. Therefore, only the suitablepages, such as the front cover, back cover and the pages havingphotographs or pictures thereon can easily be set as the pages to beclear-coated.

Preferably, the display section includes a display unit displaying apreview of a specific print page image among a plurality of print pageimages represented by the print data. By way of example, if only thespecific print pages (specific print page images) that are highly likelyto be clear-coated are displayed as previews, it becomes unnecessary forthe user to check pages that are less likely to be clear-coated. Inother words, checking of pages not worth considering becomesunnecessary. This efficiently saves time and trouble when setting pagesto be clear-coated.

More preferably, the setting device further includes a designating unitdesignating in advance a specific print page image among a plurality ofprint page images represented by the print data. Thus, it is possible toset specific print pages (specific print page images) that are highlylikely to be clear-coated as the pages to be clear-coated by default.This more efficiently saves time and trouble when setting pages to beclear-coated.

More preferably, the specific print page image includes at least one ofa page image corresponding to a front cover, a page image correspondingto a back cover, a page image having a photograph put thereon and a pageimage having a picture put thereon. It is highly likely that these pagesare clear-coated. Therefore, if the specific print page images includethese pages, it becomes possible to more efficiently save time andtrouble when setting pages to be clear-coated.

More preferably, the display unit includes a unit for displaying apreview of at least one of a page image corresponding to a front cover,a page image corresponding to a back cover, a page image having aphotograph put thereon and a page image having a picture put thereon, asthe specific print page image.

More preferably, the designating unit includes a unit for designating atleast one of a page image corresponding to a front cover, a page imagecorresponding to a back cover, a page image having a photograph putthereon and a page image having a picture put thereon, as the specificprint page image.

More preferably, the print data includes data of a first print page anddata of a second print page related to the first print page, and thedisplay section includes a display unit displaying previews of the firstand second print page images represented by the print data. The settingdevice further includes a unit for designating, in response todesignation of the first print page image by a user, the second printpage image related to the first print page image.

By way of example, the front cover and the back cover are related toeach other and, therefore, if the front cover is set as the page to beclear-coated, the back cover is automatically set as the page to beclear-coated. Thus, by setting one page (for example, front cover) asthe page to be clear-coated, the related page (for example, back cover)can automatically be set as the page to be clear-coated. Further, if aphotograph or a picture extends over a plurality of pages, theseconsecutive pages are related to each other. In such a situation also,by setting one of these pages as the page to be clear-coated, theremaining pages can also be set as the pages to be clear-coated. Thus,the time and trouble when setting the pages to be clear-coated canefficiently be saved and, in addition, the pages to be clear-coated cansurely be set as the pages to be clear-coated. Thus, every single pageto be clear-coated can be clear-coated without fail.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides an imageforming apparatus, including: an image reading device reading a documentimage to be printed; the setting device according to the first aspectdescribed above for setting a print page to be clear-coated, using printdata read by the image reading device; and a clear coat unit forclear-coating the print page set by the setting device.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a clear-coatsetting method for setting a print page to be clear-coated, includingthe steps of: displaying a preview of a print page image represented byprint data; receiving designation for a print page image of whichpreview is displayed; and setting a print page corresponding to thedesignated print page image as a print page to be clear-coated.

As described above, by the present invention, a setting device allowingeasy setting of pages to be clear-coated, an image forming apparatusincluding the setting device and a method of setting clear-coating canbe provided.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram showing a hardware configuration ofthe image forming apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a setting screen image (UI) for setting apage of which preview is to be displayed.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a setting screen image (UI) for settingclear-coating by default.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a setting screen image (UI) for setting amethod of setting pages to be clear-coated.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a preview display screen image.

FIG. 7 shows another example of a preview display screen image.

FIG. 8 shows another example of a preview display screen image.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the embodiments below, the same components are denoted by the samereference characters. Their functions and names are also the same.Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention is, for example, an MFP(Multifunction Peripheral) having copy function, scanner function andprinter function. Image forming apparatus 100 has a so-called laserprinting function (electrophotography), using a laser beam for exposure.It may have a different type printing function. Image forming apparatus100 has a function of providing clear-coating on a sheet of recordingpaper, which is a paper medium, after an image is formed on the sheet ofrecording paper.

In image forming apparatus 100, a document image is read (scanned) andprint data (document data) is obtained, and then the image representedby the thus obtained print data is displayed as a preview image, onpage-by-page basis. Further, in image forming apparatus 100, theobtained print data is subjected to area separation process, so thatimage areas (hereinafter also referred to as “photo area” or “picturearea”) on the image represented by the print data are automaticallydiscriminated. Thus, image forming apparatus 100 discriminates a page orpages having a photograph or a picture put thereon, among print pagesincluded in the print data. Image forming apparatus 100 allows previewdisplay of only the page or pages having a photograph or picture putthereon. If a user designates a desired page on the preview screenimage, for example, image forming apparatus 100 sets the designated pageas the page to be clear-coated. Upon reception of an instruction tostart printing, image forming apparatus 100 prints the image on a sheetof recording paper based on the print data, and clear-coats the entiresurface of the set page.

[Hardware Configuration]

<<Image Forming Apparatus 100>>

Referring to FIG. 1, image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with thepresent embodiment includes a control unit 110, a scanner unit 120, animage processing unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a clear imageforming unit 150, a network interface (hereinafter “interface” will bedenoted as “I/F”) 160 and an operation panel 170.

Control unit 110 is substantially a computer, including a CPU (CentralProcessing Unit) 112, an ROM (Read Only Memory) 114, an RAM (RandomAccess Memory) 116 and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 118. CPU 112 is connectedto a bus line 180, and ROM 114, RAM 116 and HDD 118 are electricallyconnected to bus line 180. CPU 112 executes various computer programs inaccordance with instructions from, for example, operation panel 170, torealize desired processes including operations of various units of imageforming apparatus 100 and communication with external equipment such asan information processing apparatus (not shown). The various computerprograms mentioned above are stored in advance in ROM 114 or HDD 118 andwhen a desired process is executed, the program is read from ROM 114 orHDD 118 and transferred to RAM 116. CPU 112 reads and interprets programinstructions from an address in RAM 116 designated by a value stored ina register called a program counter, not shown, in CPU 112. Further, CPU112 reads data necessary for computation from an address designated bythe read instruction, and executes the computation on the data inaccordance with the instruction. The results of execution are alsostored in an address designated by the instruction, such as HDD 118, RAM116 or a register in CPU 112.

A computer program for realizing general operations of image formingapparatus 100 is stored in HDD 118. The computer program is providedfrom an information processing apparatus or the like, through a networkand network I/F 160. The computer program may be provided by a storagemedium such as a DVD recording the computer program. Specifically, a DVDas the recording medium of the computer program may be loaded to a DVDdrive (not shown) built-in in image forming apparatus 100 and thecomputer program may be read from the DVD and installed to HDD 118. HDD118 also stores various data including print data (image data).

To bus line 180, scanner unit 120, image processing unit 130, imageforming unit 140, clear image forming unit 150, network I/F 160 andoperation panel 170 are electrically connected.

Scanner unit 120 is a device for reading document images and it includesa document detection sensor and a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) linesensor (both not shown). When a document is placed on a platen (notshown) manually by a user or by an automatic document feeder (notshown), the document detection sensor irradiates image surface of thedocument with light from a light source (not shown), and causes areflected light image to be formed on the CCD line sensor. The CCD linesensor successively performs photoelectric conversion of the thus formedreflected light image to provide image data, and the image data isoutput to image processing unit 130. Specifically, at the time ofcopying or scanning a document, scanner unit 120 reads image informationby means of the document detection sensor from the document placed onthe platen, converts the read image information to electric signals bymeans of the CCD line sensor, and outputs the resulting image data toimage processing unit 130.

Image processing unit 130 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit, notshown). Image processing unit 130 performs various processing includingprescribed image processing such as rasterizing, on the image datareceived from scanner unit 120 or from an information processingapparatus to form print data of prescribed tone, and outputs the data toimage forming unit 140.

Image forming unit 140 is for color printing or monochrome printing theimage representing the print data, and it includes, for example, aphotoreceptor drum, a charger, a laser scanning unit (LSU), a developer,a transfer device, a cleaning device, a fixing device and a neutralizer.Image forming unit 140 is provided, for example, with a conveyer pathand a sheet of recording paper fed from a paper feed unit (not shown) isconveyed along the conveyer path. The paper feed unit draws out sheetsof recording paper contained in a paper cassette (not shown) or placedon a manual feed tray one by one and feeds the sheets to the conveyerpath of image forming unit 140. As the sheet of paper is fed along theconveyer path of image forming unit 140, the sheet passes between thephotoreceptor drum and the transfer device, and further through thefixing device, whereby printing is done on the sheet of recording paper.

The photoreceptor drum rotates in one direction. Its surface is cleanedby the cleaning device and the neutralizer and thereafter, uniformlycharged by the charger. The laser scanning unit modulates a laser beambased on the print data as the object of printing, and by repeatedlyscanning the surface of photoreceptor drum with the laser beam in a mainscanning direction, forms an electrostatic latent image on the surfaceof photoreceptor drum. The developer supplies toner to the surface ofphotoreceptor drum to develop the electrostatic latent image and forms atoner image on the surface of photoreceptor drum. The transfer devicetransfers the toner image on the surface of photoreceptor drum to thesheet of recording paper passing between the transfer device and thephotoreceptor drum.

The fixing device includes a heating roller for heating the sheet ofrecording paper and a pressure roller for pressing the sheet ofrecording paper. The sheet of recording paper is heated by the heatingroller and pressed by the pressure roller, so that the toner image thathas been transferred to the sheet of recording paper is fixed on thesheet of recording paper. The sheet of recording paper discharged fromthe fixing device (printed sheet) is discharged to a paper dischargetray. If clear-coating of the sheet of recording paper is set, the(printed) sheet of recording paper discharged from the fixing device isfed to a clear image forming unit 150.

Clear image forming unit 150 forms a clear image on the printed sheet ofpaper fed from image forming unit 140, based on print data forclear-coating. Clear image forming unit 150 includes a photoreceptordrum, a charger, a laser scanning unit (LSU), a developer, a transferdevice, a cleaning device, a fixing device and a neutralizer. Differentfrom image forming unit 140, in clear image forming unit 150, thedeveloper contains clear toner. Specifically, in clear image formingunit 150, clear toner that is transparent at least after fixing is usedas clear-coating material. The sheet of recording paper clear-coated byclear image forming unit 150 is discharged to the paper discharge tray.In clear image forming unit 150, configurations of the photoreceptordrum, the charger, the laser scanning unit (LSU), the developer, thetransfer device, the cleaning device, the fixing device and theneutralizer are the same as those of image forming unit 140. Therefore,detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

Network I/F 160 provides an interface with a network. Image formingapparatus 100 is capable of data communication in accordance with aprescribed communication protocol with an information processingapparatus or the like on the network through network I/F 160. Imageforming apparatus 100 is capable of receiving instruction signalsinstructing execution of various processes such as a print job, from aninformation processing apparatus through network I/F 160.

Operation panel 170 includes a touch-panel display 172. Touch-paneldisplay 172 is a touch-panel integrated type liquid crystal displaydevice, formed by providing touch-panel 176 on display panel 174.Display panel 174 presents various pieces of information related to thestate of image forming apparatus 100 and states of various processes tothe user. Touch-panel display 172 also provides an interactive operationinterface (user interface) to the user. The interactive operationinterface receives a user instruction related to the overall operationof image forming apparatus 100 through touch-panel 176, displays thecontents of instruction on display panel 174, and outputs a controlsignal in accordance with the instruction to control unit 110 or to theMPU of image processing unit 130. Touch-panel display 172 also providespreview display of images represented by the print data.

[Software Configuration]

Referring to FIG. 2, the control structure of a computer programexecuted by image forming apparatus 100 for setting a page to beclear-coated will be described. In the following, an example of copyingand printing a document will be described. The program is activated whenthe function of executing clear-coat is selected in a copy-print mode.

The program includes a step S1000 of setting printing conditions; a stepS1010 executed following step S1000, of determining whether or not astart key (not shown) instructing start of copying is pressed, andwaiting until the start key is pressed; and a step S1020, executed if itis determined at step S1010 that the start key is pressed, of reading adocument image.

At step 1000, by way of example, in accordance with a user instruction,setting similar to those for general copy-printing is conducted. Settingof printing conditions includes, for example, method of printing (saddlestitch, duplex printing, N-UP (collective printing) etc.), paper typeand the number of copies.

At step S1020, all pages of the document to be copied and printed areread by scanner unit 120 and the document image is converted toelectronic data.

The program further includes a step S1030, executed following stepS1020, of preview CC (Clear-Coat) page setting.

At step S1030, setting of pages to be previewed, default setting ofpages to be clear-coated, and setting of method of setting pages to beclear-coated are conducted. At step S1030, control unit 110 firstdisplays a setting screen image 200 shown in FIG. 3 on touch-paneldisplay 172.

Referring to FIG. 3, setting screen image 200 includes four check boxes202 to 208 and “NEXT” key 210 to proceed to the next step of processing.When check box 202 is checked by an operation by the user, all pages areset as the pages to be previewed. When check box 204 is checked by anoperation by the user, the front cover page (first page) and the backcover page (last page) are set as the pages to be previewed. When checkbox 206 is checked by an operation by the user, a page or pages having aphotograph or picture thereon are set as pages to be previewed. Whencheck box 208 is checked by an operation by the user, the front and backcover pages and a page or pages having a photograph or picture thereonare set as pages to be previewed. On setting screen image 200, it ispossible to select any one of the four check boxes 202 to 208. By such asetting, previews of only the pages that may possibly be clear-coated bythe user are displayed. Since previews are displayed in this manner,wasteful confirmation of pages (pages that are determined not to beclear-coated) becomes unnecessary. This saves time and trouble. When theuser operates “NEXT” key 210, the screen image makes a transition to asetting screen image 300 shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, setting screen image 300 is for setting a page orpages to be designated (set) to “clear-coat” by default. Specifically,on setting screen image 300, setting is done for designating beforehanda page or pages to be clear-coated. Setting screen image 300 includesfive check boxes 302 to 310 and “NEXT” key 312 to proceed to the nextstep of processing. When check box 302 is checked by an operation by theuser, all pages are set to be designated as the pages to be clear-coatedby default. When check box 304 is checked by an operation by the user,the front cover page and the back cover page are set to be designated asthe pages to be clear-coated by default. When check box 306 is checkedby an operation by the user, a page or pages having a photograph orpicture thereon are set to be designated as the pages to be clear-coatedby default. When check box 308 is checked by an operation by the user,the front and back cover pages and a page or pages having a photographor a picture thereon are set to be designated as the pages to beclear-coated by default. When check box 310 is checked by an operationby the user, “NO DEFAULT SETTING” is set. Specifically, in this case, nopage is designated as the page to be clear-coated by default. On settingscreen image 300, it is possible to select any one of the five checkboxes 302 to 310. By such a setting, the pages that the user determinedto clear-coat can be designated (set) as the pages to be “clear-coated”by default. Thus, the time and trouble of designating a page or pages tobe clear-coated can be saved. When the user operates “NEXT” key 312, thescreen image makes a transition to a setting screen image 400 shown inFIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, setting screen image 400 is a screen image forsetting the method of setting a page to be clear-coated. Setting screenimage 400 includes four check boxes 402 to 408 and “NEXT” key 410 toproceed to the next step of processing. When check box 402 is checked byan operation by the user, the method of setting a page is set to amethod of individually setting page by page. When check box 404 ischecked by an operation by the user, the method of setting a page is setto a method of collectively setting related pages. It is possible toselect either one of check boxes 402 and 404. When check box 404 ischecked, control unit 110 requests checking of check box 406 or 408.Check boxes 406 and 408 may both be checked.

When check box 406 is checked by an operation by the user, the method isset to a method of “setting back (front) cover together, when front(back) cover is set.” When check box 408 is checked by an operation bythe user, the method is set to “setting remaining pages collectively,when a photograph or a picture extends over a plurality of pages and oneof these pages is set.” By such a setting, when the user sets one page,related pages are set simultaneously, at the time of setting pages to beclear-coated. Thus, time and trouble when setting pages to beclear-coated can be saved. When the user operates “NEXT” key 410, theprocess at step S1030 shown in FIG. 2 ends.

Again referring to FIG. 2, the program further includes a step S1040,following step S1030, of displaying previews of images (print pageimages) represented by the print data; and a step S1050, executedfollowing step S1040, of setting the print page to be clear-coated (CCpage setting), and ending the program. At step S1040, control unit 110displays preview screen image having the print page image displayed, ontouch-panel display 172.

Referring to FIG. 6, preview screen image 500 (500A) includes a previewdisplay area 510 for displaying a preview of print page image; a checkbox display area 520 for displaying check boxes for checking when a pageor pages to be clear-coated is to be designated; and “NEXT” key 530 toproceed to the next step of processing. On an upper side of print pageimage, a check box is arranged. When the check box is checked, controlunit 110 sets the print page corresponding to the checked print pageimage as the print page to be clear-coated. When the user operates“NEXT” key 530, the setting of pages to be clear-coated ends. It isnoted that in FIG. 6, a screen image 500A is shown, in which previews of“front cover page, back cover page and pages having a photograph orpicture thereon” are set to be displayed on setting screen image 200(see FIG. 3).

[Operation]

Image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the present embodimentoperates in the following manner. In the following description, of theoperations of image forming apparatus 100, only the portions related tothe present invention will be described. Other operations are the sameas those of the conventional image forming apparatuses.

Assume that in image forming apparatus 100, when a document is copiedand printed, the sheet of recording paper on which the image is formedis set to be clear-coated. When the user sets printing conditions, imageforming apparatus 100 receives the input of operation for setting theprinting conditions by the user, and sets the printing conditions (stepS1000 shown in FIG. 2). When the user presses START key instructingstart of the copy and printing (YES at step S1010), image formingapparatus 100 reads the set document image by scanner unit 120 andobtains print data (step S1020). Here, it is assumed that 20 pages ofdocument have been read.

Image forming apparatus 100 displays setting screen image 200 shown inFIG. 3 on touch-panel display 172 of operation panel 170. When the userperforms an input operation on setting screen image 200, image formingapparatus 100 sets the page or pages to be previewed in accordance withthe input operation by the user. Specifically, referring to FIG. 3, whenany of the check boxes 202 to 208 is checked by the user operation,image forming apparatus 100 sets the page of the checked condition asthe page to be previewed.

When “NEXT” key 210 on setting screen image 200 is operated by the user,the display of screen image on touch-panel display 172 is changed tosetting screen image 300 shown in FIG. 4. When the user performs aninput operation on setting screen image 300, image forming apparatus 100sets the page or pages to be “clear-coated” by default in accordancewith the input operation by the user. Specifically, referring to FIG. 4,when any of the check boxes 302 to 308 is checked by the user operation,image forming apparatus 100 sets the page of the checked condition asthe page to be “clear-coated” by default. When check box 310 is checkedby the user operation, image forming apparatus 100 sets no defaultsetting.

When “NEXT” key 312 on setting screen image 300 is operated by the user,the display of screen image on touch-panel display 172 is changed tosetting screen image 400 shown in FIG. 5. When the user performs aninput operation on setting screen image 400, image forming apparatus 100sets the method of setting the page or pages to be “clear-coated” inaccordance with the input operation by the user. Referring to FIG. 5, onsetting screen image 400, whether pages to be clear-coated are to be setindividually page by page or to be collectively set on related pages canbe selected.

When “NEXT” key 410 on setting screen image 300 is operated by the user,the process of preview CC page setting (step S1030) shown in FIG. 2ends, and the preview of an image (print page image) represented by theprint data is displayed.

The preview is displayed in accordance with the setting on settingscreen image 200 shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 6, if the “frontcover page, back cover page and pages having a photograph or picture putthereon” are set as the pages to be previewed on setting screen image200 of FIG. 3, preview screen image 500A, for example, is displayed ontouch-panel display 172. On preview screen image 500A, only the previewsof front cover page, back cover page, and pages having a photograph orpicture thereon are displayed. Pages 2 to 4, 6 to 9 and 11 to 19 do nothave any photograph or picture and, therefore, previews of these pagesare not displayed.

On the preview screen image, when a page or pages to be clear-coated aredesignated by the user (when clear-coat check box above each print pageimage is checked), image forming apparatus 100 sets the designated page(page corresponding to the checked print page image) as the page to beclear-coated.

Further, if default setting has been done on setting screen image 300shown in FIG. 4, the pages to be clear-coated are designated in advancein accordance with the default setting. Specifically, the check boxes ofpreviewed print page images are already checked and set. If the “frontcover page, back cover page, and pages having a photograph or pictureput thereon” are set to be “clear-coated” by default on setting screenimage 300, a preview display screen image 500B (500) shown in FIG. 7,for example, is displayed. Referring to FIG. 7, page 1 is the frontcover page and, therefore, it is set to be “clear-coated” by default.Specifically, the clear-coat check box on the upper side has alreadybeen checked. Page 20 is the back cover page and, therefore, it is setto be “clear-coated” by default, as does the front cover page. The thirdpage has a photograph and, therefore, this page is also set to be“clear-coated” by default.

Further, if the method of setting is set on setting screen image 400shown in FIG. 5, when the print page is designated on the previewdisplay screen image, the print page or pages are set in accordance withthe set method.

In the following, an example will be described in which “method ofcollectively setting related pages” is set on setting screen image 400and, as the specific method, “setting back cover together, when frontcover is set” and “setting remaining pages collectively, when aphotograph or a picture extends over a plurality of pages and one ofthese pages is set” are set. On touch-panel display 172, a previewscreen image 500C (500) of FIG. 8, for example, is displayed. Previewscreen image 500C includes preview images of the front and back coverpages and a plurality of pages (in FIG. 8, 2 pages) on which aphotograph extends (pages 2 and 3).

Referring to FIG. 8, when the first page (front cover) is designated(clear-coat check box on the upper side of the print page image ischecked) by the user as the page to be clear-coated on preview screenimage 500C, in response, image forming apparatus 100 designates the backcover page (last page), which is related to the front page, as the pageto be clear-coated (check box is checked). Image forming apparatus 100sets the designated (checked) front and back cover pages as pages to beclear-coated.

On preview screen image 500C on the second and third pages, a photographextending over these pages is inserted. When the user designates (checksthe check box of) one of these pages (for example, page 2) to beclear-coated, the third page is automatically designated (the check boxis checked) as the page to be clear-coated. Image forming apparatus 100sets the designated (checked) second and third pages as pages to beclear-coated.

In image forming apparatus 100, whether or not an inserted photograph orpicture extends over two or more pages is determined in the followingmanner. First, image forming apparatus performs area separation processon obtained print data, to discriminate a photograph area or picturearea of a print page. Next, whether or not a photograph area or picturearea is inserted in two or more consecutive pages is determined. If aphotograph area or a picture area is inserted in two or more consecutivepages, whether or not the photograph area or the picture area crossesthe two or more pages is determined in consideration of layout positionsof the photograph or picture area.

When setting of pages to be clear-coated ends, based on the print dataread by scanner unit 120, image forming apparatus 100 forms imagesrepresented by the print data on sheets of recording paper. Imageforming apparatus 100 conveys the sheets of recording paper having theimage formed thereon to clear image forming unit 150. Clear imageforming unit 150 forms clear images on the sheets of recording paper ofthe pages set as described above among the conveyed sheets of recordingpaper. Thus, the sheets of recording paper of the set pages areclear-coated.

[Effects of the Embodiment]

As is apparent from the description above, use of image formingapparatus 100 in accordance with the present invention attains thefollowing effects.

Image forming apparatus 100 displays previews of print page imagesrepresented by the print data. Further, image forming apparatus 100receives designation of print page images of which previews aredisplayed, and sets the print page or pages corresponding to thedesignated print page image as the print pages to be clear-coated. Thepages to be clear-coated are often limited, for example, to front cover,back cover, and pages having photographs or pictures thereon. By thepresent image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to set a page to beclear-coated while checking print data images using preview displays onthe display means. Therefore, only the suitable pages (such as the frontcover, back cover and the pages having photographs or pictures thereon)can easily be set as the pages to be clear-coated.

Further, by the setting on setting screen image 200 (see FIG. 3), imageforming apparatus 100 allows preview display of only the specific printpage images among a plurality of print page images represented by theprint data. By way of example, by displaying only the specific printpages (specific print page images) that are highly likely to beclear-coated as previews, it becomes unnecessary for the user to checkpages that are less likely to be clear-coated. In other words, checkingof pages not worth considering becomes unnecessary. This efficientlysaves time and trouble when setting pages to be clear-coated.

Further, by the default setting on setting screen image 300 (see FIG.4), image forming apparatus 100 allows designation of specific printpage images in advance, among a plurality of print page imagesrepresented by the print data. Thus, it is possible to set specificprint pages (specific print page images) that are highly likely to beclear-coated as the pages to be clear-coated by default. This moreefficiently saves time and trouble when setting pages to beclear-coated.

Preferably, the specific print page images are selected to include atleast one of a page image corresponding to the front cover, a page imagecorresponding to the back cover, a page image having a photographthereon and a page image having a picture thereon. It is highly likelythat these pages are clear-coated. Therefore, as the specific print pageimages include these page images, it becomes possible to moreefficiently save time and trouble when setting pages to be clear-coated.

Further, by the setting of setting method on the setting screen image400 (see FIG. 5), image forming apparatus 100 allows setting of themethod of setting pages, to enable, in response to designation (setting)of one print page (print page image) of a plurality of mutually relatedpages, collective designation (setting) of remaining pages (print pageimages) related to the one designated page. Thus, time and trouble whensetting pages to be clear-coated can more effectively be saved.

By way of example, the front and back covers are related to each otherand, therefore, when the front cover is designated as the page to beclear-coated, the back cover is also automatically designated as thepage to be clear-coated. Thus, by setting one page (for example, frontcover) as the page to be clear-coated, the related page (for example,back cover) can automatically be set as the page to be clear-coated.Further, if a photograph or a picture extends over a plurality of pages,these consecutive pages are related to each other. In such a situationalso, by setting one of these pages as the page to be clear-coated, theremaining pages can also be set as the pages to be clear-coated. Thus,the time and trouble when setting the pages to be clear-coated canefficiently be saved and, in addition, the pages to be clear-coated cansurely be set as the pages to be clear-coated. Thus, every single pageto be clear-coated can be clear-coated without fail.

(Modifications)

Though an example in which the present invention is applied to an MFP asan example of image forming apparatus has been described above, thepresent invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The imageforming apparatus may be any apparatus other than the MFP, provided thatit has the printing function. By way of example, it may be an imageforming apparatus such as a copy machine or a printer.

Though an example in which the print page is designated (set) bychecking a check box on a preview screen image has been described above,the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The page tobe clear-coated may be designated (set) by a method other than checkinga check box. By way of example, a page to be clear-coated may bedesignated (set) by touching the print page image of the previewdisplay. In that case, it is preferred that the manner of display of thedesignated print page image is changed, for example, by highlight.

If the print page is designated (set) by checking a check box on thepreview screen image, the method of checking the check box may betouching the check box to directly check the check box, or by touchingthe preview image (print page image) to check the check box.

In the embodiment above, the method of preview display may be changed inaccordance with the setting of printing conditions. Here, for example, abutton allowing selection between a finished preview in which previewsare displayed in the order of page numbers and a document preview inwhich previews are displayed with the order of pages arranged forbooklet binding when saddle stitch printing is set, may be additionallyprovided. If the number of pages to be displayed is 8 pages, forexample, in the finished preview, the previews are displayed in theorder of page 1, page 2, . . . page 7, and page 8. In the documentpreview, the previews are displayed in the order of page 1, page 8, . .. page 4, and page 5. By providing such a button, the manner of previewcan easily be switched between the finished preview and the documentpreview.

Though an example in which the clear image forming unit is connectedfollowing the image forming unit has been described above, the photoreceptor drum, laser scanning unit and the like forming the clear imageforming unit may be arranged inside the image forming unit and thefixing device may be shared with the image forming device. Specifically,a configuration in which the device for forming a clear image usingclear toner is provided inside the image forming apparatus, is alsopossible. The clear image forming unit may be attached to the outside ofthe body of image forming apparatus, or it may be attached inside thebody of image forming apparatus.

Though an example in which clear-coating is realized by using cleartoner has been described above, the present invention is not limited tosuch an embodiment. By way of example, clear-coating may be realized byusing a clear film. The clear film is a coating material in the form ofa film, and by fixing it on an area to be coated using heat from athermal head, the area can be coated.

By way of example, the device for clear-coating using a clear film maybe attached to the outside of the body of image forming apparatus. If adevice for clear-coating using clear toner is provided inside the bodyof image forming apparatus and the device for clear-coating using aclear film is attached to the outside of the body of image formingapparatus, one image forming apparatus can have both devices. In thatcase, these devices may be selectively used in view of the intended use.

Though an example in which the print data is obtained by reading adocument image by the scanner unit has been described above, the presentinvention is not limited to such an embodiment. The print data may beobtained by a different method. For example, the print data may beobtained by receiving print data transmitted from an external devicesuch as an information processing apparatus.

Though an example in which the page to be clear-coated is set by theimage forming apparatus has been described above, the present inventionis not limited to such an embodiment. By way of example, when the printdata is transmitted from an information processing apparatus such as aclient computer to the image forming apparatus for printing, the page orpages to be clear-coated may be set by the information processingapparatus. The information processing apparatus may be a tablet typeterminal, other than the client computer.

Though an example in which the set page is entirely clear-coated hasbeen described above, the present invention is not limited to such anembodiment. By way of example, when a page having a photograph or apicture thereon is to be clear-coated, only the photograph area or thepicture area may be clear-coated.

Though an example in which a preview of two pages over which aphotograph extends is displayed has been described, the presentinvention is not limited to such an embodiment. By way of example, apreview of three or more pages over which a photograph or a pictureextends may be displayed.

The embodiments as have been described here are mere examples and shouldnot be interpreted as restrictive. The scope of the present invention isdetermined by each of the claims with appropriate consideration of thewritten description of the embodiments and embraces modifications withinthe meaning of, and equivalent to, the languages in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A setting device setting a print page to beclear-coated, comprising: a display section displaying, side by side,previews of at least two print page images of different pagesrepresented by print data; a receiving section receiving, in response toan operation by a user on or corresponding to one of the at least twoprint page images displayed side by side as previews on said displaysection, a designation of the one of the at least two print page imagessubjected to the operation by the user; and a setting section setting aprint page corresponding to the print page image of which designationhas been received by said receiving section, as a print page to beclear-coated.
 2. The setting device according to claim 1, wherein saiddisplay section includes a display unit displaying a preview of aspecific print page image among a plurality of said print page imagesrepresented by said print data.
 3. The setting device according to claim1, further comprising a designating unit designating in advance aspecific print page image among a plurality of said print page imagesrepresented by said print data.
 4. The setting device according to claim2, wherein said display unit includes a unit for displaying a preview ofat least one of a page image corresponding to a front cover, a pageimage corresponding to a back cover, a page image having a photographput thereon and a page image having a picture put thereon, as saidspecific print page image.
 5. The setting device according to claim 3,wherein said designating unit includes a unit for designating at leastone of a page image corresponding to a front cover, a page imagecorresponding to a back cover, a page image having a photograph putthereon and a page image having a picture put thereon, as said specificprint page image.
 6. The setting device according to claim 1, whereinsaid print data includes data of a first print page and data of a secondprint page related to said first print page; said display sectionincludes a display unit displaying previews of first and second printpage images represented by said print data; said setting device furthercomprising a unit for designating, in response to designation of saidfirst print page image by a user, said second print page image relatedto said first print page image.
 7. An image forming apparatus,comprising: an image reading device reading a document image to beprinted; the setting device according to claim 1 for setting a printpage to be clear-coated, using print data read by said image readingdevice; an image forming unit for forming an image on a paper mediumusing said print data; and a clear coat unit for clear-coating the printpage set by said setting device.
 8. A clear-coat setting method forsetting a print page to be clear-coated, comprising the steps of:displaying, side by side, previews of at least two print page images ofdifferent pages represented by print data; receiving, in response to anoperation by a user on or corresponding to one of the at least two printpage images of which previews are displayed side by side, a designationof the one of the at least two print page images subjected to theoperation by the user; and setting a print page corresponding to thedesignated print page image as a print page to be clear-coated.